Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery from edX

In this course about drug discovery case studies, students will read five different Drug Annotations articles. Each article will require approximately two hours to read thoroughly and fully process. Including assessment questions based on the articles, the full course should require no more than 15 hours of effort.

Students in the course should understand lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety. A fundamental understanding of the structure of organic molecules and their functional groups is also required. The course has no structure beyond having a module for each case study article. A handful of 10-15-minute videos with discussions of other Drug Annotation articles are provided for reference. Each module provides a link to the open access article on the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry website.

Students signed up for the Audit Track have access to the links to the case studies and the sample Drug Annotation article videos. Students enrolled through the Verified Track also have access to assessment questions.

What you'll learn

Students will learn about several drug programs in the pharmaceutical industry…

AZD4831 – a compound that reduces incidence of heart failure
MRTX0902 – a compound with anti-tumor activity
pritelivir – a compound that treats herpes simplex virus infections
reldesemitiv -a compound that treats impaired muscle function
sebetralstat – a compound that treats hereditary angioedema

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores pathophysiology of several drug programs in the pharmaceutical industry, which is standard in the field

Taught by Erland Stevens, who is recognized for their work in drug discovery and is affiliated with the University of Kansas, which is recognized for its work in pharmaceutical sciences

Develops an understanding of lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery with these activities:

Follow online tutorials on drug discovery techniques

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Online tutorials provide accessible learning resources to enhance understanding of specific drug discovery techniques and tools.

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

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Identify online tutorials relevant to the course topics.
Follow the tutorials, taking notes and completing any exercises provided.
Apply the techniques learned to the case study articles.

Review 'Medicinal Chemistry: A Biochemical Approach'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal chemistry concepts, complementing the course content and enhancing understanding of drug design principles.

View Medicinal Chemistry: A Molecular and... on Amazon

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Read and summarize each chapter related to the course topics.
Identify key concepts and principles.
Relate the book content to the drug discovery case studies.

Create an infographic or presentation on a specific drug discovery case study

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Creating visual aids helps summarize and communicate complex drug discovery concepts effectively.

Browse courses on Drug Discovery

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Select a drug discovery case study.
Research and gather relevant data and information.
Design and develop an infographic or presentation using appropriate visuals and text.
Present or share the infographic or presentation.

Six other activities

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Compile a glossary of drug discovery terms

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Creating a glossary helps solidify understanding of key terminology used in drug discovery.

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Identify and define relevant terms from the case study articles.
Categorize the terms into different sections (e.g., pharmacology, chemistry, biology).
Include examples and illustrations to enhance understanding.

Attend industry conferences and workshops

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Networking events connect students with professionals in the field, providing valuable insights, potential collaborations, and career opportunities.

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Identify relevant conferences and workshops.
Register for the events.
Prepare talking points and questions for networking.
Attend sessions and engage with speakers and attendees.

Solve case study problems

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Applying knowledge to solve case study problems reinforces understanding of the drug discovery process and develops problem-solving skills.

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Read and analyze the case study articles.
Identify the key scientific and clinical questions presented in each case.
Develop and test hypotheses based on the information provided.
Present and defend proposed solutions.

Practice calculation problems

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Mastering the mathematical calculations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology improves understanding of the processes involved in drug development.

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Solve practice problems for each case study article
Review solved examples and practice problems in textbooks or online resources
Formulate your own practice problems based on the drug discovery process

Volunteer at a pharmaceutical research laboratory

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Hands-on experience in a research setting provides practical insights into the drug discovery process and complements theoretical knowledge gained in the course.

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Research and identify potential volunteer opportunities.
Apply and secure a volunteer position.
Assist with experiments and research projects under the guidance of experienced scientists.

Design and simulate a novel drug molecule

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Designing and simulating a drug molecule from scratch challenges students to apply their knowledge and creativity in a practical context.

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Research and identify a target protein or disease.
Design and dock potential drug molecules using molecular modeling software.
Simulate the interactions and effects of the drug molecule using computational methods.
Analyze and optimize the design based on simulation results.

Career center

Learners who complete Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drug Discovery Scientist

A Drug Discovery Scientist may work in the pharmaceutical industry or within a biotechnology sector. This role is responsible for designing innovative molecules and then optimizing them for their ability to treat diseases. A solid understanding of lead selection, lead optimization, pharmacodynamics, drug activity, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical safety is required for this role and may be helped by taking Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drug Discovery Scientist

Pharmacist

Pharmacists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, retail pharmacies, and other clinical facilities. They dispense medications to patients, counsel patients on how to use their medications, and provide advice on drug interactions. Pharmacists are also responsible for ensuring that medications are safe and effective. A course like Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may help prepare one for this role, especially if they wish to work in research and development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacist

Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. They provide advice on disease prevention and health promotion. A strong background in pharmacology is beneficial for physicians, especially considering that they prescribe medications and must know how they work and interact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physician

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians design and analyze studies to collect and interpret data on the effectiveness of new drugs and treatments. They work with scientists and other researchers to develop and test new drugs and treatments. This role typically requires a master's or doctoral degree in biostatistics or a related field. Nonetheless, a course like Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be beneficial for those looking to enter this field by providing background and a practical sense of what roles are available.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to develop new drugs and treatments. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. A course like Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will expose one to some of the practical aspects of this field and potentially help them work in drug discovery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientists analyze evidence to determine the cause of death or injury. They work in a variety of settings, including crime labs, police departments, and private companies. This role is heavily science-based, and one who takes Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will have a leg up on those who have not.

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Medical Writer

Medical Writers create educational materials for patients and healthcare professionals. They also write marketing materials for pharmaceutical companies. A solid background in pharmacology and the drug discovery process is essential for success in this role, which is why Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery might be a good course to take.

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Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students in grades K-12. They develop lesson plans, conduct experiments, and grade assignments. A strong background in pharmacology will help future Science Teachers to convey this information to students, especially those who wish to work with students at a high school level. Coursework in this subject, such as Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery, may be particularly helpful for this role.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study the effects of environmental factors on human health. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, universities, and private companies. A background in toxicology and pharmacology would be beneficial for this role, and one who has taken a course like Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery will have been exposed to these topics.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of chemicals on human health. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, universities, and private companies, and evaluate how they could impact humans based on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion - which are all topics covered in Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery.

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Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technicians conduct experiments and analyze data in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. While there are many different kinds of laboratory roles, having background knowledge in pharmacology will be helpful to succeed in this role. Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be particularly useful for laboratory technicians who may need to work in pharmacology.

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Chemist

Chemists study the composition, structure, and properties of matter. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, and private companies. A background in organic chemistry is essential for success in this role. Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be particularly useful for chemists who work in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, and private companies. A background in biochemistry is essential for success in this role. Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be particularly useful for biochemists who work in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical Research Coordinators manage clinical trials. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private companies. A background in clinical research is essential for success in this role. Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be particularly useful for clinical research coordinators who work in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants provide advice to healthcare organizations on a variety of topics, including drug development. A background in pharmacology is essential for success in this role. Literature Case Studies in Drug Discovery may be particularly useful for healthcare consultants who work in the pharmaceutical industry.

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